Out-of-Towners Visiting Family in Schuylkill County Take Top Prizes in Firecracker 5K

A man from Houston, Texas, and a woman from Swedesboro, New Jersey, were the top winners of the 11th annual Firecracker 5K on Friday morning in Port Carbon.

Both out-of-towners were in Schuylkill County enjoying the holiday weekend with family members and took part in the 5K.

The race is the traditional start to the 4th of July festivities in Port Carbon.

Chris Pietrak, 18, of Houston, who has family in the Tamaqua area, sprinted across the finish line inside Miller Playground at a time of 16:11.

Holly Chambers, of Swedesboro, says her boyfriend’s family is from Minersville. She was the top female finisher and 15th overall at a time of 20:52.

Race organizers with Pretzel City Sports believe the number of registered participants in the 2025 edition of the Firecracker 5K was a record. A total of 188 people crossed the finish line on Friday.

2025 Firecracker 5K Race Results

Here is a rundown of all the top runners from Friday’s race by age and gender. Each runner’s overall place is in parentheses:

Men 80+

1. (168) Bruce Cronrath, Reading – 48:33

Men 70–79

1. (49) James Manzick, Pottsville – 25:54
2. (142) Gary Stern, Narvon – 37:57

Men 60–69

1. (46) Jim Ditzel, Mar Lin – 25:29
2. (52) Brian Kerns, Missoula (MT) – 26:37
3. (108) Richard Koenig, Womelsdorf – 32:31

Women 60–69

1. (88) Dina Hayduk, Emmaus – 29:55
2. (99) Karen Kuperavage, Port Carbon – 31:02
3. (105) Sandra Pacenta, Schuylkill Haven – 32:01

Men 50–59

1. (40) Rob Johnson, Robesonia – 24:40
2. (44) Brian Senglar, Barnesville – 25:08
3. (71) Jason Setlock, Middleport – 28:17

Women 50–59

1. (54) Christy Senglar, Barnesville – 26:43
2. (61) Karen Weldon, Doylestown – 27:23
3. (94) Cynthia Lorish, Alburtis – 30:13

Men 40–49

1. (25) Shawn Frankenstein, Schuylkill Haven – 22:26
2. (31) Anthony Pytko, Schuylkill Haven – 22:54
3. (39) Jason Schaeffer, Auburn – 24:31

Women 40–49

1. (23) Kelly Trabosh, Pottsville – 22:13
2. (45) Amanda Hascin, Tamaqua – 25:19
3. (60) Bonita Leib, Ashland – 27:22

Men 30–39

1. (13) Patrick Cleary, Pottsville – 20:44
2. (16) Kevin Stock, Pittsburgh – 21:16
3. (21) Garrett Kelly, Harrisburg – 21:45

Women 30–39

1. (33) Angela Kelly, Harrisburg – 23:38
2. (35) Madison Newhouser, Ashland – 23:49
3. (41) Marissa Nesgoda, Quakake – 24:46

Men 20–29

1. (2) Thomas Corbin, Fleetwood – 16:18
2. (3) Brandon Fogerty, New Ringgold – 16:20
3. (5) Landon Boyle, Pottsville – 16:46

Women 20–29

1. (17) Adra Schell, Middleport – 21:19
2. (73) Maura Walker, Nesquehoning – 28:19
3. (79) Shannon Fleming, Frackville – 29:22

Men 15–19

1. (4) Joshua Wagner, Oley – 16:30
2. (6) Wyatt Leitzel, Hegins – 17:23
3. (8) Joseph Rossi, Pottsville – 17:55

Women 15–19

1. (18) Kaylee Senglar, Barnesville – 21:23
2. (30) Melissa Malarkey, Frackville – 22:52
3. (37) Kimberly Rudy, New Ringgold – 24:21

Boys 14 & Under

1. (20) Kaden Stencovage, Easton – 21:35
2. (26) Nolan Corby, Pottsville – 22:38
3. (47) Gavin Lutsky, Tuscarora – 25:37

Girls 14 & Under

1. (58) Brook Ackell, Ashland – 27:18
2. (59) Hannah Leib, Ashland – 27:20
3. (67) Alizee Varona, Frackville – 27:58

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